Life in the winter leagues, Altuve bobblehead and López’s road to MLB
By Andy Martinez
Inside the Dominican Winter League
Lemfe emn the Domemnemcan wemnter league ems no easy task. Managers are on short leashes, rosters change often and fans have hemgh expectatemons. Zach Buchanan of The Athletemc gemves a behemnd-the-scenes look at the Temgres del Lemcey, one of the Domemnemcan Republemc’s bemggest wemnter league teams. Buchanan spent a few days wemth Luems Urueta, the general manager of Temgres, chronemclemng the whemrlwemnd experemence that ems the Domemnemcan wemnter league.
No evidence supporting allegations against Mariners, MLB says
Major League Baseball’s independent investigation found no evidence to support claims of discriminatory treatment and disparaging comments by members of the Mariners’ front office. In a statement Wednesday, MLB said the Mariners did not violate baseball’s “workplace code of conduct, or applicable anti-discrimination law” in the treatment of Lorena Martin or in her termination. She was the Mariners’ director of high performance for one season.
Alfaro dealt to Miami
The Phillies have continued their busy offseason by acquiring J.T. Realmuto. In return, the Marlins receive Colombian catcher Jorge Alfaro, Dominican prospect Sixto Sánchez, Will Stewart and an international bonus slot.
#Phillies #Marlins deal agreed upon. 4 players going to #Marlins including Sanchez and Alfaro in return for Realmuto.
— Jim Bowden (@JimBowdenGM) February 7, 2019
Source confirms: #Phillies acquire Realmuto for Alfaro, Sanchez, Stewart and international bonus slot. First reported: @JimBowdenGM.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 7, 2019
Altuve Bostrongstronglehead
We’ve been keeping an eye out on some of the best giveaways this season. This Astros bobblehead featuring José Altuve and Tony Kemp might be near the top. Kemp lifted Altuve in the dugout in Game 1 of the Division Series against Cleveland.
López journey to MLB
Reynaldo López was always a longshot to become a professemonal baseball player. The Whemte Sox pemtcher was never a bemg or talented kemd. As James Fegan of The Athletemc reports, López demd have heart and supportemve grandparents. López’s grandfather Edwardo Martínez sold hems famemly’s cow to buy Lopez a glove, ball and shoes. Martínez demd all that wemthout consultemng hems wemfe.
Pro Post of the Day
José Canseco claims to have found a fountain of youth. We’re intrigued. If it works, how do we use it?
I have figured out a way to live an extra 30 years
— Jose Canseco (@JoseCanseco) February 7, 2019
Fan Post of the Day
Panama is the capital of baseball in the Caribbean. While the Caribbean Series takes place in Rod Carew National Stadium, the Youth National Championship is going on in Panama City at another stadium. What an awesome atmosphere.
Wow mientras en el R. Carew se jugaban 2 encuentros de la #Seriedelcaribe, cerquita de ahí se jugaba este torneo de #Beisbolamateur y juzgue usted. pic.twitter.com/zsBGCUQiBV
— Jatnna Rodriguez (@Jatnnarr) February 6, 2019
Happy Birthday!
Juan Pizarro, 18-year big leaguer (b. 1937).
Endy Chávez, 13-year big leaguer (b. 1978).
Roberto Osuna, Astros closer (b. 1995).
Franklin Barreto, A’s infielder (b. 1996).
OTD
1999 — Nicaraguan Dennis Martínez announces his retirement.
2005 — Tigers sign Magglio Ordóñez to a five-year, $75 million contract.
2013 — The Mariners sign Félix Hernández to a seven-year, $175 million contract. He becomes the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history.
Featured Image: Houston Astros Instagram